POPULARITY
The Gospel is real, true and changing lives all over the world.
Welcome to TOP! Today Minister Trevor Stevens ministers from the topic "God's Love: The Scandalous Truth of the Gospel"
It is the truth and clarity of the gospel that gives us a firm footing in the face of heresies. It is the truth that sets us free. Sometimes we wonder if we need to know all the ins and outs of errant doctrines in order to counteract them. This is not the case! We simply must know the truth. We need to be reminded of the truth. Thanks for joining us for this episode and please take a moment to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you enjoy this content, please don't hesitate to leave us a 5-star review and share this podcast with your friends. We'd like to extend an invitation to you and your family to join us for worship this week at Grace Baptist Church. We'd also love to connect with you online at https://gracekettering.org. Thanks again for checking out this episode, and we look forward to having you join us again right here on the Grace Baptist Church Podcast!
The Truth of the Gospel | Chuck Colson | Galatians 1.11-2.10 by Christ Church Presbyterian
As Paul wrote to the younger pastor/teacher Timothy from his Roman jail cell, his time on earth was short, and Timothy’s time on earth would soon become more complicated with the rise of many false teachings and teachers. So what Paul wanted Timothy to do was be committed to the truth of the gospel – […]
The world we live in today is a warzone, whether looking at global conflicts, in the political area, or even conflict closer to home, in marriages, in families and in day-to-day life. Each of us also face our own personal battles, whether in your health, finances or career. Few people like conflict and most of us would just like a quiet life but many times we must fight in some way or other whether we like it not. For if we do not fight, we may lose our freedoms, our blessings and even our families and children. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil. One of the biggest battles we must win, is the fight for the truth of the gospel in our lives and in the life of the church. In fact, the church is often one of the biggest battle grounds for truth because if the gospel is watered down or corrupted then worldly culture will conquer the church rather than the church being a light of hope in the surrounding darkness. In our current series on Galatians, we learn about Paul's battle to preserve the truth of the gospel against powerful religious opposition and human thinking. Although the first century church was growing so fast amongst the Gentiles or non-Jews, the apostle Paul saw that there were powerful groups who were insisting that new believers had to strictly follow old Jewish traditions and practices, including the practice of circumcision (Galatians 2:4-5). So, what is this truth, and why is it worth fighting for? Let's explore how the truth of the gospel is revealed, how it confronts us, and how it transforms us. 1. Revelation of the truth of the gospel (Galatians 1:12; Galatians 2:16) 2. Confrontation for the truth of the gospel. After revelation comes confrontation (Galatians 2:11-15) 3. Transformation through the truth of the gospel (Galatians 2:19-21; 2 Corinthians 5:17) Apply 1. Revelation of the truth of the gospel. Paul's revelation of the gospel didn't come from human teaching but from a direct encounter with Jesus (Galatians 1:12). This revelation was that knowing God comes simply through faith in Jesus Christ and not by following religion (Galatians 2:16). This revelation was the catalyst that changed everything for Paul, transforming him from a religious man and persecutor of Christians to a passionate leader giving his life for the freedom of the gospel. Paul, who been highly trained as a Jewish leader, understood that real Christianity centred solely on faith in Christ alone and that meant a radical change of mind and behaviour from old ways of thinking and religious tradition. Everyone, Jew or non-Jew, can now enjoy the grace of God because it is the free gift of God and not the works of man which leads to religious slavery. To this day one of the most dangerous enemies to freedom in Christ is being trapped in a religious mindset and behaviour. Many people may go to church regularly, but this does not necessarily mean that they have had a revelation of salvation through faith in Christ alone. We need to real about this. What is Christianity to you? Is it following rules and judging others? Is it just duty and expectation to carry? Is it all outward? Or is it freedom, love, joy peace? When you have a revelation of freedom and relationship with Jesus, everything changes. Revelation brings excitement, passion and purpose! Paul was driven by the conviction that God had entrusted him with a mission to spread the good news of freedom in Christ and that was something he was prepared to stand for and fight for. 2. Confrontation for the truth of the gospel. After revelation comes confrontation (Galatians 2:11-15). This was a defining moment for the early chair, for Cephas is none other than Peter, the main disciple of Jesus, and the most prominent leader in the early church before Paul had even become a follower of Jesus. Peter had seen how the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles in the house of Cornelius and accepted that the non-Jews did not need Jewish laws forced on them. Yet now as Paul writes in Galatians 2 he had needed to directly confront Peter (Cephas) for acting in a way that contradicted the truth of the gospel. Peter had allowed cultural and peer pressure to influence his actions, which led to hypocrisy and confusion among other believers. Even Barnabas, the much loved and respected leader in the early church, who had in fact launched Paul into ministry in Antioch, had been taken off track. Religion was creeping in to corrupt the life of the early church. This is quite a challenging passage as it shows us even those who walk closely with God can be swayed by cultural pressures, past upbringing or fear of what others think. Sometimes people you have previously looked up to or even your whole group of people you have known, can get off track and compromise. But you must not be shaped by the behaviour of the group or the herd. You must test everything by God's word. You must be led by the Spirit of God not by social or historic relationships. You must not fall into the trap of automatically doing the same thing as everyone else does. You must focus on your own relationship with God and in bringing your family up in obedience to God and not worry what other families are thinking or doing. The truth of the gospel will confront our wrong thinking and behaviour. It confronts our past. It confronts the culture we live in, which constantly pressures us to conform to worldly and materialistic standards rather than biblical ones. Not only will the gospel confront us, but we must be willing to confront and challenge others who are going off track. That's not easy if there is strong pressure from a whole group of people who are self-righteous and insisting that you must conform to old ways which is what the apostle Paul had to do. And it will take a lot of courage to stand for truth especially if it involves people that you know well, maybe even family members something Jesus Himself had to face. However, the future of the gospel and the church and also your family depends on us being willing to engage in confrontation and to stand up for the truth of the gospel. How often do you allow fear to dictate your behaviour, to push you away from standing firmly in the truth of the gospel? How much do you conform to the standards of the world or empty religious traditions? How often do you compromise your beliefs to avoid conflict or to fit in with your friends and the world around us? How much are you living fully in the freedom and grace of Christ, or are you still trying to earn God's favour through your own efforts? Today, like Paul, you too may need to stand up for grace particularly if you come from a religious background or culture. The control of religion doesn't let go easily! When we make a stand, it is then that we can live a life of real freedom in Christ. When we do this that we can protect and bless our families and can step into the future of generational blessings and inheritance that God has for us. 3. Transformation through the truth of the gospel. The truth of the gospel doesn't just involve revelation and confrontation: it brings profound transformation (Galatians 2:19-21). This isn't just a poetic statement, it's the reality of the gospel's transforming power. When we accept the gospel, we die to our old selves, to the law, to the need to prove ourselves through our own works. We are crucified with Christ, and in exchange, we receive new life through Him (2 Corinthians 5:17). The gospel doesn't just change a few behaviours here and there; it completely transforms our identity. We are no longer slaves to sin, no longer bound by the law, no longer defined by our past mistakes or failures. We are new creations in Christ. This transformation affects every part of who we are: our spirit, speech, thinking, emotions, purpose, values, and behaviour. The gospel isn't about working our way to God, it's about accepting the grace of God and allowing that grace to transform us. This transformation is ongoing as we continue to walk with Christ. Take up this challenge to fight for the truth of the gospel in your life. Don't give in to the pressures of the world or the fears that hold you back. Don't settle for a watered-down version of the gospel. Stand firm, as Paul did, and preserve the truth of the gospel for yourself, your family, and your future. Let the truth of God's amazing grace guide you, confront you, and transform you as you live in the freedom that only Christ can give.
The world we live in today is a warzone, whether looking at global conflicts, in the political area, or even conflict closer to home, in marriages, in families and in day-to-day life. Each of us also face our own personal battles, whether in your health, finances or career. Few people like conflict and most of us would just like a quiet life but many times we must fight in some way or other whether we like it not. For if we do not fight, we may lose our freedoms, our blessings and even our families and children. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil. One of the biggest battles we must win, is the fight for the truth of the gospel in our lives and in the life of the church. In fact, the church is often one of the biggest battle grounds for truth because if the gospel is watered down or corrupted then worldly culture will conquer the church rather than the church being a light of hope in the surrounding darkness. In our current series on Galatians, we learn about Paul's battle to preserve the truth of the gospel against powerful religious opposition and human thinking. Although the first century church was growing so fast amongst the Gentiles or non-Jews, the apostle Paul saw that there were powerful groups who were insisting that new believers had to strictly follow old Jewish traditions and practices, including the practice of circumcision (Galatians 2:4-5). So, what is this truth, and why is it worth fighting for? Let's explore how the truth of the gospel is revealed, how it confronts us, and how it transforms us. 1. Revelation of the truth of the gospel (Galatians 1:12; Galatians 2:16) 2. Confrontation for the truth of the gospel. After revelation comes confrontation (Galatians 2:11-15) 3. Transformation through the truth of the gospel (Galatians 2:19-21; 2 Corinthians 5:17) Apply 1. Revelation of the truth of the gospel. Paul's revelation of the gospel didn't come from human teaching but from a direct encounter with Jesus (Galatians 1:12). This revelation was that knowing God comes simply through faith in Jesus Christ and not by following religion (Galatians 2:16). This revelation was the catalyst that changed everything for Paul, transforming him from a religious man and persecutor of Christians to a passionate leader giving his life for the freedom of the gospel. Paul, who been highly trained as a Jewish leader, understood that real Christianity centred solely on faith in Christ alone and that meant a radical change of mind and behaviour from old ways of thinking and religious tradition. Everyone, Jew or non-Jew, can now enjoy the grace of God because it is the free gift of God and not the works of man which leads to religious slavery. To this day one of the most dangerous enemies to freedom in Christ is being trapped in a religious mindset and behaviour. Many people may go to church regularly, but this does not necessarily mean that they have had a revelation of salvation through faith in Christ alone. We need to real about this. What is Christianity to you? Is it following rules and judging others? Is it just duty and expectation to carry? Is it all outward? Or is it freedom, love, joy peace? When you have a revelation of freedom and relationship with Jesus, everything changes. Revelation brings excitement, passion and purpose! Paul was driven by the conviction that God had entrusted him with a mission to spread the good news of freedom in Christ and that was something he was prepared to stand for and fight for. 2. Confrontation for the truth of the gospel. After revelation comes confrontation (Galatians 2:11-15). This was a defining moment for the early chair, for Cephas is none other than Peter, the main disciple of Jesus, and the most prominent leader in the early church before Paul had even become a follower of Jesus. Peter had seen how the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles in the house of Cornelius and accepted that the non-Jews did not need Jewish laws forced on them. Yet now as Paul writes in Galatians 2 he had needed to directly confront Peter (Cephas) for acting in a way that contradicted the truth of the gospel. Peter had allowed cultural and peer pressure to influence his actions, which led to hypocrisy and confusion among other believers. Even Barnabas, the much loved and respected leader in the early church, who had in fact launched Paul into ministry in Antioch, had been taken off track. Religion was creeping in to corrupt the life of the early church. This is quite a challenging passage as it shows us even those who walk closely with God can be swayed by cultural pressures, past upbringing or fear of what others think. Sometimes people you have previously looked up to or even your whole group of people you have known, can get off track and compromise. But you must not be shaped by the behaviour of the group or the herd. You must test everything by God's word. You must be led by the Spirit of God not by social or historic relationships. You must not fall into the trap of automatically doing the same thing as everyone else does. You must focus on your own relationship with God and in bringing your family up in obedience to God and not worry what other families are thinking or doing. The truth of the gospel will confront our wrong thinking and behaviour. It confronts our past. It confronts the culture we live in, which constantly pressures us to conform to worldly and materialistic standards rather than biblical ones. Not only will the gospel confront us, but we must be willing to confront and challenge others who are going off track. That's not easy if there is strong pressure from a whole group of people who are self-righteous and insisting that you must conform to old ways which is what the apostle Paul had to do. And it will take a lot of courage to stand for truth especially if it involves people that you know well, maybe even family members something Jesus Himself had to face. However, the future of the gospel and the church and also your family depends on us being willing to engage in confrontation and to stand up for the truth of the gospel. How often do you allow fear to dictate your behaviour, to push you away from standing firmly in the truth of the gospel? How much do you conform to the standards of the world or empty religious traditions? How often do you compromise your beliefs to avoid conflict or to fit in with your friends and the world around us? How much are you living fully in the freedom and grace of Christ, or are you still trying to earn God's favour through your own efforts? Today, like Paul, you too may need to stand up for grace particularly if you come from a religious background or culture. The control of religion doesn't let go easily! When we make a stand, it is then that we can live a life of real freedom in Christ. When we do this that we can protect and bless our families and can step into the future of generational blessings and inheritance that God has for us. 3. Transformation through the truth of the gospel. The truth of the gospel doesn't just involve revelation and confrontation: it brings profound transformation (Galatians 2:19-21). This isn't just a poetic statement, it's the reality of the gospel's transforming power. When we accept the gospel, we die to our old selves, to the law, to the need to prove ourselves through our own works. We are crucified with Christ, and in exchange, we receive new life through Him (2 Corinthians 5:17). The gospel doesn't just change a few behaviours here and there; it completely transforms our identity. We are no longer slaves to sin, no longer bound by the law, no longer defined by our past mistakes or failures. We are new creations in Christ. This transformation affects every part of who we are: our spirit, speech, thinking, emotions, purpose, values, and behaviour. The gospel isn't about working our way to God, it's about accepting the grace of God and allowing that grace to transform us. This transformation is ongoing as we continue to walk with Christ. Take up this challenge to fight for the truth of the gospel in your life. Don't give in to the pressures of the world or the fears that hold you back. Don't settle for a watered-down version of the gospel. Stand firm, as Paul did, and preserve the truth of the gospel for yourself, your family, and your future. Let the truth of God's amazing grace guide you, confront you, and transform you as you live in the freedom that only Christ can give.
Galatians 2:11-21
Sermons of Western Meadows Baptist Church in Durant, Oklahoma
Subject: Galatians: Christ Alone Speaker or Performer: Cole Newton Scripture Passage(s): Galatians 2:11-16 Date of Delivery: September 15, 2024
Sermon on Galatians 2:11-14, where Paul teaches us that we must uphold the doctrine of justification by faith alone, not just by our words (as important as that is), but also by how we live.
This is message 14 in the Labor in the Church series 1 Timothy 3:16- 4:6 Paul instructs Timothy to be a faithful minister by reminding the church of essential truths of the faith. Timothy is to focus on teaching sound doctrine, including the fundamental truth that Jesus is God manifested in the flesh, and the gospel is for all people. Paul warns of the rise of false teacher who, having abandoned the truth, decieve others with lies and manmade traditions. A good minister must counter these errors by upholding and teaching the Word of God, emphasizing the importance of trusting in Scripture over human traditions and opinions. Don't forget to download our app for more from the Riverview Baptist Church. http://onelink.to/rbcapp Find more at https://riverviewbc.com/ Donate through Pushpay https://pushpay.com/pay/riverviewbc
This is message 6 in the 2 Corinthians series 2 Corinthians 4:1-7 Paul emphasizes the importance of maintaining the purity of the gospel, which is revealed through the Word of God. He warns against altering the message, as doing so blinds the lost and hinders their salvation. Paul highlights that the gospel is centered on Jesus Christ, who deserves all the glory, and that God alone can shine the light of truth into the hearts of people. While Satan tries to blind minds, God reaches the heart, transforming lives not through human reasoning, but through a personal encounter with Christ. Ultimately, believers are mere vessels, carrying the light of Christ to a world in need. Don't forget to download our app for more from the Riverview Baptist Church. http://onelink.to/rbcapp Find more at https://riverviewbc.com/ Donate through Pushpay https://pushpay.com/pay/riverviewbc
Today's Topics: 1, 2, 3, 4) Gospel - Mt 18:15-20 - Jesus said to His disciples: "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell the Church. If he refuses to listen even to the Church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by My heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there am I in the midst of them."
One of the world's leading New Testament Scholars Thomas Schriener is in Sydney for the Moore College Lectures on ‘The Battle for the truth of the gospel.'At the center of his attention is NT Wright and the New Perspective on Paul, a debate that questions whether ancient Judaism was legalistic.Schreiner tells of his roots in Roman Catholicism, a transformative evangelical faith, and the enduring importance of the Reformation perspective of justification by faith alone.Schreiner, who chairs the Christian Standard Bible translation committee, takes us behind the scenes of the Christian Standard Bible's translation process, revealing the rigorous debates and decisions that shape how we read that translation. He outlines how denominational diversity influences translation accuracy. Plus we unpack the profound need to teach biblical gender roles in contemporary culture.Thomas Schreiner is professor of New Testament at Southern Baptist Theological College in Louisville, Kentucky. Support the Show.--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.
Paul White teaching from Paul White Ministries.
A new MP3 sermon from Grace Baptist Fellowship is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: The Truth of the Gospel Subtitle: Galatians Speaker: Tom Gabbard Broadcaster: Grace Baptist Fellowship Event: Sunday Service Date: 7/13/2024 Bible: Galatians 2:1-5 Length: 31 min.
This message is going to be a little different. We are working our way through the study of 1 Peter in a teaching series we've called, “Unshakable.” But we are going to press pause on that this as we are led to share with you a message that is birthed out of the ongoing conflict in Israel. Recent escalations have reignited questions and concerns.
Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here: https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
March 31, 2024 Pastor Vince Bissey Grace Point Church in Surprise, AZ Scripture referenced: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Grace Point Church is all about pursuing Jesus and His grace, period. We would love nothing more than to introduce you to the gospel and a life lived deeply with God and others. To support our ministry and help us continue to reach people in Surprise, Arizona, and around the world, click here: https://www.gracepointaz.com/give STAY CONNECTED Website: https://www.gracepointaz.com Grace Point Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gracepointaz Grace Point Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gracepoint
1 Tim. 1:12-17
Paul recounts that when he made his second visit to Jerusalem, he presented the gospel he was preaching to Peter, James and John. In response, they affirmed both his apostleship and his message. But when some “false brothers” tried to get him to compromise, he did not budge for a moment. This story teaches us that the truth of the gospel is a prerequisite to unity, brings freedom, fuels our mission, and creates compassion. Text: Galatians 2:1-10
Do you ever wish you could have been an eyewitness of Jesus' life on earth—to see His disciples, healings, teachings, and miracles with your very own eyes? Well, the prolific writer Dorothy L. Sayers (a close acquaintance of C.S. Lewis) wrote a collection of radio plays recounting the life and ministry of Jesus to offer a sense of what it would have been like to witness the Savior face-to-face during His time on earth. She titled this collection of plays The Man Born to Be King, and today we have the treat of zooming in on them with our guest, Kathryn Wehr, who has edited a fantastic edition of The Man Born to Be King. Join us as we dive deep into the plays, explore the theological truths they convey, and discuss Sayers' three-dimensional representation of Jesus and the cast of characters surrounding His life, death, and resurrection. Claim your free copy of Don't Follow Your Heart: Boldly Breaking the Ten Commandments of Self-Worship by Thaddeus Williams for a gift of any amount to the Colson Center this month at colsoncenter.org/swwilliamsresource. Read A Man Born to be King...Together! Lent begins February 14th, and you're invited to participate with the Strong Women community! We'll be reading Dorothy Sayers' The Man Born to be King, a series of 12 dynamic radio plays re-telling the life and ministry of Jesus. Our free reading guide, “The Kingdom of God is at Hand,” includes reflection questions for each play, as well as prayers to help you embrace the gift of repentance and “make straight the way of the Lord” in your heart this Lenten season. We start on Ash Wednesday—February 14. Come join us and read in community. Download your free reading guide at colsoncenter.org/lent. Articles by Kathryn Wehr on Logos Kathryn's album about women in the gospels And All the Marys Kathryn's YouTube channel The Man Born to be King, Wade Annotated Edition, edited by Kathryn Wehr. If you purchase through InterVarsity Press, use code IVPSTRONGWOMEN to get a 25% discount and free shipping on the book (and all other titles) through February 29, 2024! The Man Born to Be King by Dorothy L. Sayers The Man Born to Be King: A BBC Radio 4 Drama Collection The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery Little Women by Louisa May Alcott Lord Peter Wimsey detective books by Dorothy L. Sayers The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri On the Incarnation by Athanasius Nicene Creed Christ & Creed: The Early Church Creeds & their Value for Today by Nate Pickowicz Creed or Chaos by Dorothy L. Sayers (out of print) Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis The Chosen series Mansfield Park by Jane Austen The Strong Women Podcast is a product of the Colson Center which equips Christians to live out their faith with clarity, confidence, and courage in this cultural moment. Through commentaries, podcasts, videos, and more, we help Christians better understand what's happening in the world, and champion what is true and good wherever God has called them. Learn more about the Colson Center here: https://www.colsoncenter.org/ Visit our website and sign up for our email list so that you can stay up to date on what we are doing here and also receive our monthly journal: https://www.colsoncenter.org/strong-women Join Strong Women on Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/StrongWomenCC https://www.facebook.com/groups/strongwomencommunitycc/ https://www.instagram.com/strongwomencc/
"For the Truth of the Gospel" Pastor Rex Durham January 7, 2024
The sermon, preached by Elder Rick Coan from our worship service on November 26, 2023
The sermon, preached by Elder Rick Coan from our worship service on November 26, 2023
Pastor Jeff Julian begins a new sermon series called The Core, in which we will look to God's word to define Trinity's vision of being a Gospel-center community redeeming brokenness through hope in Jesus Christ. This week Pastor Jeff challenges us to share the Gospel relentlessly.
Pastor Nate brings the message, “The Truth of the Gospel” - Part 2, from Galatians 2:14-21. As we continue our sermon series in Galatians, it's clear that Paul's great desire is for People to accurately understand the Gospel. As it was then, so it is now…some are teaching that belief in good works is what saves a person. What a hopeless outlook in life! The Bible teaches us that we are sinners, that Christ died in our place, and that belief in Him alone is what saves us from hell. So, the Gospel is not belief in good works. It's belief in Jesus.
QUOTES FOR REFLECTION“It is better to be hurt by the truth than to be comforted with a lie.”~Khaled Hosseini, Afghan-born novelist and physician “We shall never be clothed with the righteousness of Christ except that we first know assuredly that we have no righteousness of our own.”~John Calvin (1509-1564), Genevan reformer “Take heart sinner, and do not despair. Hope in him whom you fear, flee to him from whom you have fled…. Dear name…of delight, name of comfort to the sinner, name of blessed hope. For what is Jesus except to say Savior? So, Jesus, for your own sake, be to me Jesus.”~Anselm of Canterbury (1033/4-1109), monk, theologian, and archbishop “We obey God not because we are afraid of what He will do to us…. Rather, we obey Him because we are moved by all that He has done for us in Jesus Christ.”~Anthony J. Carter, pastor and author “To see the law by Christ fulfilled, and hear His pardoning voice,Changes a slave into a child, and duty into choice.”~William Cowper (1730-1800), poet and hymnwriter “I don't believe it is wise or truthful to the power of the gospel to identify oneself by the sins of one's past or the temptations of one's present….”~Jackie Hill Perry, writer and hip-hop artist “Justification by faith alone frees me to love my neighbor…for his or her own sake…. Since we no longer have to carry around the intolerable burden of self-justification, we are free ‘to be Christs unto one another,' as Luther put it, to expend ourselves on behalf of one another, even as Christ also loved us and gave Himself for us.”~Timothy George & John Woodbridge in The Mark of Jesus “My grand objection to the religious system still held by many… is, that it tends to render Christianity… a system of prohibitions rather than of privilege and hopes, and thus the injunction to rejoice, so strongly enforced in the New Testament, is practically neglected, and Religion is made to wear a forbidding and gloomy air and not one of peace and hope and joy.”~William Wilberforce (1759-1833), British politician and slavery abolitionistSERMON PASSAGEGalatians 2:11-21 (ESV) 1 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. 2 I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain. 3 But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. 4 Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— 5 to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. 6 And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me. 7 On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised 8 (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles), 9 and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do. 11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?” 15 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; 16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.17 But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. 19 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
Instead of works-driven and guilt-ridden religion, discover Guilt Free Christianity. As we study verse by verse through Galatians, we're uncovering the 9 Steps to Freedom in Christ. In todays message, Pastor Ron Zappia teaches Step 6: Persevere in the Truth of the Gospel. This message was originally preached at Highpoint Church on Sunday, October 15, 2023 Message title: Step 6: Persevere in the Truth of the Gospel. Passage: Galatians 4:1-31 For more info about Highpoint Church, or to find a location near you, visit our website at https://highpoint.church. Connect with Pastor Ron and find more Bible teaching at https://ronzappia.com
Pastor Nate brings the message, “The Truth of the Gospel” - Part 1. Even the best of Christians leaders will at times fall into the “fear-of-man” trap. In this next section in Galatians, Paul uses failure of Peter and Barnabas as a platform to begin teaching on justification. Paul's point is that we certainly will not be justified in God's eyes by works that impress others but rather by faith in Jesus.
IV. Expositions of Galatians
V. Expositions of Galatians
These are some of our favorite Heidelquotes. Something to think about from the Heidelcast. If you are subscribed to the Heidelcast or the Heidelblog (see below) you will receive these episodes automatically. All the Episodes of the Heidelcast How To Subscribe To Heidelmedia . . . Continue reading →
Episode 1099 | Adriel Sanchez and Bill Maier answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com Questions in this Episode 1. What should we think about false teachers who still confess Jesus as Lord? 2. Is it idolatrous to spend more time on my hobbies than I do praying? 3. How can we persuade skeptics? Is it even possible? 4. How did unbelievers perform miracles in Jesus's name in 1 Corinthians 12:3? 5. What does Ecclesiastes 7:15 mean when it talks about people being “overly righteous” and “overly wise”? 6. Why do we close our eyes when we pray?
Episode 1074 | Adriel Sanchez and Bill Maier answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com Questions in this Episode 1. Does Jesus Contradict Himself in Luke 11:11-13 and Matthew 7:11? 2. How Can I Have Fellowship When Autism Makes it Difficult to Socialize? 3. Does God Prevent Unbelievers From Understanding the Truth of the Gospel? 4. If a Christian Commits Suicide Are They Still Saved? 5. How Do We Receive the Holy Spirit? Today's Offer Indispensable by David Cassidy Request our latest special offers here or call 1-833-THE-CORE (833-843-2673) to request them by phone. Want to partner with us in our work here at Core Christianity? Consider becoming a member of the Inner Core. Resources 988 – Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Core Guide – 9 Things Everyone Should Know About Depression